I spent the past weekend resting and recharging the batteries, literally. This weekend marks the start of the summer season during which many people in the Four Corners prefer to sample the earthy and personal sounds of folk, bluegrass, and Americana music over label-driven artists and records.  The festival season kicks off with the third annual Pagosa Folk ’N Bluegrass from FolkWest, Friday evening in Town Park.

I’ve been shooting the festival, and it’s much larger older sibling, the Four Corners Folk Festival, for several years.  Each year brings new opportunities to shoot people, musicians, scenery and all the ambiance that makes these festivals so unique and special. With each festival, I work on growing in some aspect of my photography and trying new things. Some years I’ve taken on live-performance portraits, long exposure, or HDR photography. This year is no different and I’ve got a new set of creative challenges that I’m gearing up to take on.

For any photographer, and I see plenty on the hill each year, there is a plethora of images to be had. Some may chose to shoot their favorite acts from seats in the festival tent or from the side of the stage, while others shoot the whole landscape of the festival meadow to show their friends back home what a gorgeous backdrop the festival has. If you’re one of the people out there with a camera this weekend I challenge you to not shoot the way you normally would.  Try shooting a performer at 1/8^th of a second and see what happens. Try silhouetting a performer in a stage light or your child in the sun.  Shoot the details like people’s feet in their sandals and the dust as they dance.  You’ll be surprised at what you might capture.